Stuart vows to turn around struggling Eels

Ricky Stuart has been praised as Parramatta’s best signing since Jack Gibson, but warns more suffering will come before the NRL club can achieve a return to the glory years.

There’s no doubting Stuart loves a challenge.

But even for someone who’s had a crack at breaking the long-standing droughts of Cronulla and NSW, accepting a three-year contract at the Eels, starting from next season, could be his biggest test to date.

Parramatta have churned through five coaches since 2006 with Stephen Kearney the latest to walk out the door last Friday.

And the board has shown time and time again how ruthless they can be in their pursuit of a first premiership since 1986.

Stuart had coveted a return to the NRL since being dumped by the Sharks midway through 2010, but stressed he wouldn’t jump at the first job offered to him.

So why Parramatta? Dead-last and as unpredictable as any team in the competition.

“Because I back myself,” said Stuart at a media conference on Friday, flanked by chairman Roy Spagnolo and chief executive Bob Bentley.